Feast Your Eyes: Newly Opened Haiku in Jinqiao, SH

Newly Opened Haiku in Jinqiao 金桥, Shanghai

Lucky Shanghai-ers, I rarely envy you but when I stepped in to the newly opened Haiku in Jinqiao 金桥, I was so green with envy I practically turned into the Hulk. 

Designed by Alan Wong, founder of the Hatsune Restaurant Group in Beijing, the space is stunning. It is unique in its own right, but with the high ceilings and perfect lighting illuminating a soft glow throughout the dining area, it bears the same trademark of Alan’s other restaurants, especially the Hatsune Sanlitun Branch which won “Best Decor” in this year’s Beijinger’s 2012 Reader’s Choice Awards.

Hatsune Sanlitun Branch: CFFC 2011

Contrasting Hatsune Sanlitun’s underwater, aquatic themes evident throughout the restaurant from the oceanic ground flooring and the stream of fish swimming across the restaurant into a spiraling mass in the center of restaurant’s high-ceilings, Haiku in Jinqiao features a theme of a rocky mountain face with tiered seating and bouldering tables and my favorite part is the bright sushi bar’s “firefly” lights that are only visible if you sit at the sushi bar. I should also mention that the sushi bar seats are quite possibly the most comfortable (and extravagantly expensive) chairs I have seen provided at any sushi bar.

Haiku’s Sushi Bar with Hidden “Firefly” Lights

Haiku’s doors are just now open to walk-in customers and the restaurant is already buzzing with happy sushi fanatics, but the project is not quite complete.  While the Haiku, California-style Japanese fusion side of the restaurant is complete, there is still the Kagen Teppanyaki side that is finishing up its final touches before it is fully operational.  This Haiku branch in Jinqiao is split into two concepts, the only restaurant that will combine both Haiku and Kagen Teppanyaki restaurant concepts into one.

Located just across the way from Green Sports & Leisure Center, there is no in-your-face, back-lit sign or entrance to the restaurant but just a very simple sign with Haiku’s restaurant label that you will miss unless you look for it. The unobtrusive exterior makes your first-impression that much more exaggerated once you step inside.

Stepping into Haiku, Front Door Reception Table

Everything is brand-spanking new, dressed in stylish furniture, new staff uniforms and a new menu design.  I love the size and quality of this menu, but was a bit gutted to see that my “LumDimSum” roll didn’t make the cut for this new Haiku in Shanghai.

So far so good, everything looks to be running smoothly thus far!

Stay tuned for more details regarding the other project – Pulau Ketam, a modern crab house opening in Xintiandi!

LumDimSum Snapshots of the NEW! Haiku in Jinqiao:

NEW! Haiku in Jinqiao Contact Details:

• Address: 601 Lantian Lu, near Yunshan Lu  蓝天路601号, 近云山路

• Tel: 3882 0611

Haiku Jinqiao’s Official Opening Party:

To inaugurate the new Jinqiao location, Haiku will be inviting all to attend their grand opening party on Friday, May 18th.

In appropriate Hatsune fashion, the night will be fueled by free flow sake, signature cocktails, and never-ending signature sushi rolls.  DJ Saul D from Beijing will be flying out to play alongside DJ MK. And don’t not forget the dangerous “Wasabi Challenge” and a sumo wrestling competition!

It wouldn’t be a real party without some serious sumo action.

• Tickets: RMB 100 Online Reservation or RMB 150 at the door

• Email:  info@haikushanghai.com

LumDimSummary: Hatsune Chef’s Dinner with Alan-san

Hatsune’s Chef Dinner spotlighted the man who started it all over 10 years ago, Alan Wong.  Upon my request, he put together a 10-Dish Dinner Feast featuring never-before-seen dishes from start to finish.

This was no easy task. It required soul-searching research with a mission to ignite culinary inspiration, hours spent in the kitchen taste-testing, training Hatsune’s head chefs and a whole lot of prep work/behind-the-scenes effort almost no guest will ever witness nor realize.  But with Alan-san’s relaxed attitude and hospitable personality, he pulls it off like it’s no sweat and really makes everything look so easy.

To give you a bit of background, Alan is the brains and heart behind the entire Hatsune restaurant concept and it’s award-winning menu with our legendary California-style sushi rolls. He also happens to be responsible for the design of Hatsune Sanlitun Village Branch (which most recently won Best Restaurant Decor in theBeijinger’s 2012 Reader Restaurant Awards).

In a nutshell, this guy is creative and when he is in the zone, he is unstoppable.  Never have I met someone so OCD and ADD at the same time. I swear that must be how he’s managed to keep churning out so many restaurants over the years and it’s got to play a major role in the success in his career as a restauranteur.

In any case, this Chef’s Dinner Event was a challenge that really put Alan to the test – to get his creative juices flowing, to get him engaged and inspired, to get him to roll up his sleeves, get out his slick set of super-sharp knives and get his cook-on with his top chefs for a spectacular meal designed to impress each and every foodie lucky enough to snag a seat.

Since this was his personal project, he only allowed me to seat 20 guests max to ensure the quality of service, timeliness of dishes and enough face-time both before and after the service of his 10-dish menu.

Now that you’ve all been properly de-briefed, I’ll let my photos do the rest of the talking for me.

Feast your eyes on the 10 brand-new menu created by Alan Wong for a one-off dinner party.

10-Dish Hatsune Chef’s Dinner Menu

1st Course: Truffle Salt Edamame

Behind-the-Scenes LDS Shots of Alan-san Prepping and Mixing Edamame & Truffle Salt

First Course: Truffle Salt Edamame served!

2nd Course: Organic Salad with Yuzu Vinaigrette

Behind-the-Scenes LDS Shots of Alan-san beautifying salad presentation

Second Course: Organic Salad with Yuzu Vinaigrette served!

3rd Course: Akami & Shiro Maguro Tartare

topped with green onions and quail egg

Behind-the-Scenes LDS Shots of Alan-san prepping tartare & pouring sauce

4th Course: Cod-fish Saikyo-yaki Butter Lettuce Wrap

with Deep-fried Gobo Root

Behind-the-Scenes LDS Shots of Alan-san & his team wrapping cod-fish in lettuce wrap

Served! Cod-fish Saikyo-yaki butter Lettuce Wrap with Deep-fried Gobo Root

5th Course: Oden Soup with BeefballSkewer

Behind-the-Scenes LDS Shots of Alan-san & his team pouring oden & setting up skewers

Alan-san in the Kitchen: Oden Soup with Beefball Skewer

6th Course: Wintermelon Nimono w/ Pumpkin & Citrus Essence 

Behind-the-Scenes LDS Shots of Alan-san setting up Nimono and Torching Citrus

Served! Wintermelon Nimono with Pumpkin and Citrus Essence

7th Course: Melt-in-Your-Mouth Kobe Beef Lightly Salted

Behind-the-Scenes LDS Shots of Alan-san & Kitchen Team displaying & torching Kobe Beef

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Kobe Beef Lightly Salted Torched Tableside by Chef Alan-san

8th Course: Unagi & Negihama Tableside Hand Rolls

Behind-the-Scenes LDS Shots of Alan-san Wrapping & Torching Hand Rolls Tableside

Torched Unagi & Negihama Hand Roll by Chef Alan-san

Unagi & Negihama Tableside Hand Rolls

9th Course: Soft Shell Crab/Snapper/Shiso Inside Out Roll

Behind-the-Scenes LDS Shots of Alan-san Behind Sushi Bar

Served! Soft Shell Crab/Snapper/Shiso Inside Out Roll

10th Course: Dessert One Two Punch

Strawberries with Condensed Milk, Green Tea Mini Mochi in a Cookie Spoon

Behind-the-Scenes LDS Shots of Alan-san prepping strawberries and dessert display

Served! Dessert One Two Punch – Strawberries with Condensed Milk, Green Tea Mini Mochi in a Cookie Spoon

Thank a Bow, Chef Alan-san! You’ve earned it!

A fellow foodie friend recently started a blog called A to the Z (Annette_K_Z) and she re-caps her dining experience as one of the few lucky guests who got to sit in on Chef Alan’s Chefs Dinner at Hatsune here.

*To get in tune with latest news on upcoming events and promos for the Hatsune Restaurant Group, please contact me directly at kristen@lumdimsum.com and I will add your email to our ridiculously awesome mailing list.

Hatsune Restaurant Details:

The Original Hatsune (Guanghua Lu Branch):

• 2/F, Heqiao Bldg C, 8A Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District
• 朝阳区光华路甲8号和乔大厦C座2层
• Tel: 6581-3939

Hatsune Sanlitun Village Branch:

• 3rd Floor of Sanlitun Village (next to Element Fresh & across from Karaiya Spice House) Sanlitun Village South, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District
• 朝阳区三里屯路19号三里屯Village南区8号楼S8-30
• Tel: 6415-3939

LDS SH Gossip: 2 Restaurant Openings Summer 2012!

To wrap up my brief trip to Shanghai last week, I’ll explain that although I had the privilege to enjoy a few spectacular meals (at Kappo Yu and Franck), it was not a trip of leisure, but one with a very specific purpose.  And although there has yet to be an official announcement of what’s to come, I’ll be the first to leak a few juicy tid bits of two upcoming new restaurant projects by the Haiku by Hatsune Restaurant Group in Shanghai.

The Haiku by Hatsune Restaurant Group is expanding their ever-growing portfolio to include two exciting new projects: a third Haiku by Hatsune in Jinqiao 金桥 just across the way from Green Sports & Leisure Center and the project I’m most thrilled about – an innovative Southeast Asian crab restaurant in Xintiandi 新天地.

There are currently four restaurants under the Hatsune umbrella in Shanghai including two branches of Haiku by Hatsune (Taojiang Lu and IFC Mall), Kagen Teppanyaki (next to Haiku by Hatsune on Taojiang lu) and Sushi Inc. (in Citigroup Tower on Huayuanshiqiao Lu 花园石桥路).

While the concept of another Haiku by Hatsune branch is nothing new to the Shanghai dining scene, I am most excited about the design of this new venue.

For those who have spent meal after meal in Beijing’s Hatsune branch in Sanlitun Village, you may have noticed the underwater, aquatic themes evident throughout the restaurant from the waterfall glass door entrance, oceanic ground flooring and the stream of fish swimming across the restaurant into a spiraling mass in the center of restaurant’s high-ceilings.  The new Haiku by Hatsune in Jinqiao will showcase a contrasting theme of a rocky mountain face featuring tiered seating, a partially enclosed sushi bar area to portray a cave-like feeling and the best part is that this will be the one and only restaurant that will combine both Haiku and Kagen Teppanyaki restaurant concepts. One side of the restaurant will be dedicated to the firing grills of Kagen Teppanyaki while the other will serve Haiku’s finest California-style Japanese sushi.

In the 5 1/2 years I’ve been living in China, I’ve only made a handful of trips down to Shanghai so I am not very familiar with Shanghai’s breakdown of neighborhoods, hang outs and communities, but I had the chance to explore Jinqiao and notice that this area draws a striking resemblance to Shunyi in Beijing.  If only Shunyi had as many restaurant choices and something comparable to Jinqiao’s Green Sports & Leisure Center! What a great community center for families in the area. I have no doubt that the newest Haiku by Hatsune venture will feel right at home in this welcoming new neighborhood.

And quite opposite to the Jinqiao neighborhood scene is the bustling, trend-setting Xintiandi area which was one of the first areas of Shanghai I quickly became acquainted with. Great nightlife options from the high-energy live music venue Brown Sugar to all the restaurants that line the street. Haiku’s newest project is a Southeast Asian Crab Restaurant that is truly a labor of love, drawing inspiration from the top crab recipes all across the world and although the restaurant’s menu will be headlining its crab dishes, they will also feature a very select range of Southeast Asian tapas, seafood and desserts. I’m really not wanting to spill too many secrets, but this project gives me butterflies just thinking about it and I can’t wait to be the first in line on opening day!

And of course a trip wouldn’t be complete without a tasting of the new project’s specialty…

Crab by Haiku in Shanghai’s Newest Project in Xintiandi

Til March 13: Dish Out Votes On Restaurant Favorites

theBeijinger.com has just launched their 9th Reader Restaurant Awards and you can cast your vote now until March 13, 2012, so get it all out on the table and start giving props to all the restaurants in Beijing you love and frequent most. 

There’s over 250 worthy Beijing restaurants nominated in 50 categories on this year’s ballot, so let the voting begin!

theBeijinger’s Reader Restaurant Categories include:

• Best Burger

• Best Indian/Pakistani

• Best Mexican/Tex Mex

• Best Italian (Affordable & High-End)

• Best Russian

• Best American

• Best Spanish

• Best Thai

• Best Japanese

• Best Vietnamese

• Best Korean

• Best Dumplings

• Best Yunnan

• Best Xinjiang

• Best Provincial Government Restaurant

• Best Beijing Duck

• Best Dim Sum

• Restaurant Personality of the Year

• Best Decor (Chinese & Non-Chinese)

• Best Pizza

• Best Sandwiches

• Best Steak (Hotel & Standalone)

• Best for Impressing Visitors (Non-Chinese & Chinese)

• Best Place for a Celebration

• Best Late Night Dining

• Best Business Lunch

• Best Hotel Brunch

• Best Brunch (standalone)

• Best Family Friendly Restaurant

• Best Value for Money

• Best Cafe

• Best Bread

• Best Salads

• Best Vegetarian

• Best Wine List

• Best French

• Best Middle Eastern

• Best Dinner Entertainment

• Best for a Romantic Meal

• Best Outdoor Dining

• Best Service (Non-Chinese and Chinese)

• Best New Restaurant (Chinese and Non-Chinese)

• Restaurant of the Year (Chinese and Non-Chinese)

I was quite surprised to see the wide range of list of “Best New Non-Chinese Restaurants” (list of 12 restaurants!).  From a cute, delivery Japanese restaurant like Obentos to specialized restaurants like Home Plate Bar-b-que and The Vine Leaf, all the way to high-end hotel restaurants like S.TA.Y or Temple Restaurant Beijing, doesn’t really seem fair to put these restaurants together in one category.

List of ‘Best New Non-Chinese Restaurants’ to Choose From:

*Hatsune Restaurant Group was Nominated for:

• Restaurant Personality of the Year (Alan Wong of the Hatsune Restaurant Group)

• Best Decor (Hatsune Sanlitun)

• Best for Impressing Visitors (Kagen) 

• Best Japanese (Hatsune)

• Best Business Lunch (Hatsune) 

• Best Non-Chinese Restaurant of the Year (Hatsune) 

Click here to vote!

LumDimSummary: Chi Fan for Charity 2011

 First I was waiting on all the beautiful pictures and before I knew it, work started piling on and somehow one of the most important events of 2011 has slipped under the radar for a complete LumDimSum re-cap (or as I like to call it – LumDimSummary), but I refuse to let this one go.  Better late than never right?  I swore I’d complete this post before the end of 2011, so I figure it would be an appropriate time to finish off 2011 with a post dedicated to one of the most inspiring and exciting events of this year – Chi Fan for Charity (CFFC)!

Originally founded by Michael Crain, Chi Fan for Charity quickly made a name for itself as one of Beijing’s most highly-anticipated culinary and charity events of the year. Already in its third year, CFFC 2011 was beyond magnificent and I beam with pride every time I think about the dedicated team of volunteers and all the people who donated so much of their time, energy and resources to make this event such a success.

Rallying together over 500+ Beijingers to dine in Beijing’s top dining establishments with all proceeds going to support local Chinese charity organizations in need, they exceeded their goal of raising over RMB 300,000 in just one night.  Involving 39 generous and charitable restaurants in Beijing, we were able to raise a substantial amount to be donated to two very worthwhile charities – Bethel Foundation and New Hope Foundation.

 Not only was CFFC able to make a difference in Beijing, but the event was also expanded to Shanghai for the first time this year thanks to the help of organizing sponsor Austen Morris. Check out my recap of my weekend in Shanghai just to reserve my seat at Shook! together with my table host Alan Wong here.

“What started in Beijing by Michael Crain three years ago as an idea to raise a bit of money for worthy causes has mushroomed into a two city effort which this year engaged 26 of Shanghai’s best restaurants, many of the city’s most influential movers and shakers and over 200 fine-diners and late night revelers. 

Chi Fan for Charity Shanghai was able to raise over 200,000RMB with all profits going directly to Heart to Heart Shanghai, Chi Heng Foundation and Compassion for Migrant Children.  With these funds, Chi Fan for Charity has already been able to:

• Donate three life saving heart surgeries to Heart to Heart Shanghai for Chen Wenyu, Wang Zhi Yuan and Jiang Yu Han at Yodak hospital earlier this month.

• Help operate Compassion for Migrant Children’s Shanghai’s Xinan Community Center and enable:

Migrant babies and pregnant mothers to participate in CMC’s Early Childhood Development program which is designed to help migrant parents provide the best possible start for their children and covers health education, literacy, socialization and learning through play activities. 

Migrant children aged 5-13 to receive academic assistance and an opportunity to participate in creative activities (such as music, arts & crafts, dance, sports, field trips) which are aimed at helping them develop healthy social and character skills) 

We are also proud to announce that the combined efforts of Chi Fan for Charity Beijing and Shanghai raised over 500,000RMB for charity.”  - Kelly Olver, Katie Littlefield and the CFFC Team 

With all that said, here’s a recap of Beijing’s third annual Chi Fan for Charity Event.Check out photos from many of the dinners that took place throughout the city and of course my favorite part, the Official After Party at Hatsune Sanlitun with DJ Patrick Yu.

Chi Fan for Charity 2011 Dinners:

(listed in alphabetical order)

Agua:

Barolo:

Chef Too:

Cru Steakhouse:

Carmen:

Grange:

Hercules:

Kagen:

Kagen Teppanyaki:

Karaiya Spice House:

Modo:

Mosto:

Nobu:

Punjabi:

ROOMbeijing:

Sureno:

Transit:

CFFC After Party at Hatsune  Sanlitun:

Photos courtesy of the very talented Helen Couchman & Lakshitha Tharindu

Save-the-Date: BICCO’s Christmas Charity Dinner

As soon as Thanksgiving is over, the trees, lights and holiday decorations come flooding out as everyone begins gearing up for Christmas and New Years! Hopefully by now, most of you have awoken from your turkey comas and you are in the holiday mind set to begin Christmas shopping and party planning.

There are many upcoming gala dinners, holiday balls and Christmas dinners coming up in the next few weeks, but be sure to mark your calendars and save the date for this event in particular – “Unlock the Future”, which is a Christmas Charity Dinner and Silent Auction that will take place on Saturday, December 10.

We have a goal of raising RMB 200,000 in ONE NIGHT with all funds raised on this evening to be donated to Beijing International Committee for Chinese Orphans (BICCO)‘s Shunyi Orphanage Rehabilitation Program to help support over Chinese orphans and children with disabilities.

“Without this program and the work of BICCO, many of these children would not leave their beds or even have a chance at a potential future outside of the walls of this state-run facility.” – Amy Zima, organizer of Unlock the Future Christmas Charity Dinner

Hosted at Kagen Japanese BBQ Restaurant, there will only be 200 seats available and all charitable guests will be treated to 10 dish menus created by Alan Wong and his top chefs at Kagen, a champagne toast and select wines paired with a lovely meal.

Acoustic musician David Mitchell will be performing several different instruments and there will also be other live music entertainment including some Christmas Caroling (just part of the jolly holiday spirit!).

The event will also be featuring great silent auction prizes including Apple products, a private dinner for 10 at Hatsune by owner Alan Wong paired with wines by Wine Republic (valued at RMB 13,000), a 2-night weekend stay at The Westin, a Hummingbird spa package (valued at RMB 7,000), a GungHo! pizza party, handmade necklaces from April’s Adournments, a custom Hutong Tour by Bespoke Beijing, a Punjabi Indian Feast and with many other restaurant vouchers around town.

Sign up early at either who get pre-sale price RMB 600 or you can also pay RMB 800 at the door (if there are any seats left!).  To book your seats in advance, you can either purchase tickets at Kagen Restaurant, Hatsune Sanlitun branch, or Ivy Academy at East Lake Villas.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, December 10, 2011
• Time: 6:30PM Cocktail Reception, 7:30PM Dinner
• Location: Kagen Japanese Hot Pot & BBQ Restaurant
• Address:  Located below the Original Hatsune on Guanghua Lu
  • B1/F, Bldg C, Heqiao Dasha, 8 Guanghua Donglu, Chaoyang District
  • 朝阳区光华东路8号和乔大厦C座地下1层
• Tickets: Only 200 seats available! RMB 600 (pre-sale), RMB 800 (at the door)
• Tickets are available for sale at Kagen Restaurant, Hatsune Sanlitun restaurant and Ivy School in East Lake Villas (Suite C-101 No. 35, Dongzhimenwai) Call: 8451 1381
• For more information: Call 135 2034 1984

Steve Aoki at Yigongyishan TONIGHT

“Aoki’s never-ending globe-trotting brings him to our lovely, dirty city to play some quality electro tunes.” – Time Out Beijing

Steve Aoki is the man behind Dim Mak Records and credited with launching the careers of some of the influential acts of the past decade including Bloc Party, The Kills, MSTRKRFT, The Bloody Beetroots, Mystery Jets, The Rakes, The Gossip and more. Since founding the label, he’s stepped into the limelight as DJ, artist and producer.

Thanks to M Agency, Steve Aoki will be making his way to Beijing, playing TONIGHT at Yugongyishan and DJ Saul (Resident DJ of Punk) will be opening for Steve Aoki!  But if you are already attending The Chi Fan for Charity After-Party at Hatsune Sanlitun, then you can still catch Steve Aoki afterwards as he will be playing late night until 4am.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, November 5
• Time: 10PM-4AM
• Price: RMB 150 Presale, RMB 200 Door
• Buy Tickets here: http://shop68161459.taobao.com/
• Location: Yigongyishan
• Address: 3-2 Zhangzizhong Lu, Dongcheng district 东城区张自忠路3-2号段祺瑞执政府旧址西院
• Website: Click here.
• Email: meticket.asia@gmail.com

Shook!: Chi Fan For Charity Expands to Shanghai

A dining event that’s won Culinary Event of the Year in Beijing in 2010, Chi Fan for Charity has expanded to Shanghai this year with the help of organizing sponsor Austen Morris and I was not going to miss out on a such a great excuse to make a weekend getaway to Shanghai!

Already sponsoring 4 tables of 10 at Hatsune, Kagen, Kagen Teppanyaki and Karaiya Spice House, Alan Wong is also the official sponsor of Chi Fan for Charity’s After-Party (at Hatsune Sanlitun for the 2nd year in a row).  As a big fan and supporter of Chi Fan for Charity, we wanted to show Shanghai some love too!

While Beijing’s beneficiaries this year include Bethel Foundation and New Hope Foundation, Shanghai’s beneficiaries this year include Heart to Heart, Compassion for Migrant Children and Chi Heng Foundation.  (See here for list of charities and all the wonderful work they do.)

With 26 glorious restaurants to choose from, we decided to host a table of 10 at Shook! Restaurant.  Chef Kevin Cape and GM Julien Laracine were both exceptional hosts to our private 5-course dinner at their prized chef’s table just in front of Shook’s beautiful open kitchen.

“An open-kitchen conveys the feel of ‘dining without borders’ – intimate, nothing hidden, open to all – a concept which transcends the menu. With whispers of Chinese, Japanese, South-East Asian and modern Western, yet flexible enough to transport you anywhere your heart and palate desire.”

See here LDS Snapshots of Shook’s Hallway of Wine and Open Kitchen:

After a few glasses of champagne at the bar, we sat down at Shook!’s private chef’s table where we were treated to a beautiful 5-course meal, a fusion of Chinese, South-east Asian and Western cuisine.  The venue is absolutely stunning and the service was exceptional. The food?  See for yourself all the goodies we were treated to…

LumDimSum Snapshots of Shook’s Dishes:

Amuse Bouche (Chinese-style soup) / Prawn Appetizers with walnuts (Chinese style)

Shared Appetizers: Perfectly Roasted Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

1st Course: Confit of Salmon/ Refreshing Orange Sorbet with Mango Ravioli

Main Course: Slow-Cooked Grain Fed Beef / Macaroon Dessert

Shook!’s Tiramisu and Creme Brulee

GM Julien then let us make our own crepes table-side!  Chef Anna took over and the result was delightful…

 Shook! Crepes:  BEFORE & AFTER

Thank you to the team at Shook! for a wonderful dining experience and big thanks to Kelly Olver and Katie Littlefield (Austen Morris) for arranging such a successful first Chi Fan for Charity Event in Shanghai!

It’s not too late for you to be a part of the Chi Fan for Charity event in Beijing, TONIGHT: Saturday, November 5! See details here.

Check for last remaining seats at CFFC Sponsoring Restaurants here.

In case you can’t make it to dinner and you still don’t want to miss out on this great event, there are still a few tickets left for the Chi Fan for Charity After-Party at Hatsune Sanlitun Village.  Click here to buy your ticket!

With 400-500 people dining at Beijing’s best establishments, everyone will come together for a brilliant celebration at Hatsune.

The Chi Fan for Charity After Party at Hatsune Sanlitun Village will be featuring free flow drinks by our generous sponsors (Wine Republic, Tiger Beer, El Charro Tequila and Hatsune’s signature cocktails), DJ Patrick Yu spinning tunes, and awesome silent auction and raffle prizes. 

For those who don’t have the time or the budget to commit to dinner, the after party is a great way to come out to contribute to two very worthwhile causes and show your support.  This year’s beneficiaries include Bethel Foundation and New Hope Foundation.

3 Days Left! Count Down to Chi Fan for Charity 2011

Get excited people, Beijing’s biggest culinary charity events of the year is only a few sleeps away!

I just had a look at the Official Chi Fan for Charity website and here’s a quick update on what’s still available.

Only 10 Restaurants with Seats Left!

• 4 seats left at The Courtyard
• 2 seats left at Fuel
• 1 seat left at Grange Steak House in Westin Chaoyang
• 3 seats left at Hercules
• 5 seats left at Karaiya Spice House
• 6 seats left at Oden
• 4 seats left at ROOMbeijing
• 5 seats left at Punjabi Indian Restaurant
• 2 seats left at Vasco’s
• 11 seats left at Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB) - *note: Ignace has graciously donated 50 seats to Chi Fan for Charity so that is why there are so many seats left here.  This is a stunning space and guaranteed to be an exceptional experience for anyone keen to get a sneak peak at TRB before they officially open their doors to the public!  

Click here to purchase your seat at one of the supporting Chi Fan for Charity Restaurants before they’re all gone!

In case you can’t make it to dinner and you still don’t want to miss out on this great event, there are still 30 tickets left for the Chi Fan for Charity After-Party at Hatsune Sanlitun Village.  

With 400-500 people dining at Beijing’s best establishments, everyone will come together for a brilliant celebration at Hatsune.

The Chi Fan for Charity After Party at Hatsune Sanlitun Village will be featuring free flow drinks by our generous sponsors (Wine Republic, Tiger Beer, El Charro Tequila and Hatsune’s signature cocktails), DJ Patrick Yu spinning tunes, and awesome silent auction and raffle prizes. 

For those who don’t have the time or the budget to commit to dinner, the after party is a great way to come out to contribute to two very worthwhile causes and show your support.  This year’s beneficiaries include Bethel Foundation and New Hope Foundation.

This year’s after-party will be displaying our incredibly awesome silent auction items (which you can start bidding on NOW!)

A few of my top picks for Silent Auction prizes include:

•  It’s always sunny in…

• Need to get away from the cold, grey Beijing winter? Get some California sun with two airline tickets to a destination of your choice, hotels and passes to museums in San Francisco and two days at Disneyland with accommodation. And we’ll even throw in a suitcase.  (2 round-trip tickets on United to any U.S. destination, 3 pieces of Newcomer luggage, 2 nights in LeMeridien San Francisco, 2 nights in Omni San Francisco, 2 nights at Disneyland hotel with 2 adult park passes, 2 General Admission Passes and 4 Special Exhibition Passes (2 Per Exhibition) to the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco )

• Yunnan Escape  

• This package offers the intrepid traveler a true immersion into authentic Southern China. Guests at the Linden Centre will receive a 3-night complimentary stay and round-trip transportation transfer in an expansive and luxurious courtyard home in Xizhou, a pristine village in China’s Yunnan Province. After relaxing a bit, visitors to Yangshuo Basecamp in Fengluo Village, Guanxi, will receive 2 nights of camping, a tour guide for 2 days, and the option to pick 2 activities including rock climbing, abseiling, hiking, ziplining, or biking.

• Gourmet Host 

• Wish you could be the hostest with the mostest? It’s time to step up your game! With cooking classes, wine certification, food vouchers and all the utensils, you’ll be armed to  impress your dinner guests this winter.  (Cooking class for two at The Hutong, wine certification course from Long Geng Wines, set of Jamie Oliver cookbooks courtesy of Penguin Books, Tai Tai cheese platter, 588 RMB Baode meat gift package, wok, party napkins & loads of utensils)

• Turning Japanese 

• Ever wonder about the secrets to Hatsune’s sushi? Grab nine friends (or people you met last night) and spend an afternoon rolling and, of course, eating your own sushi. This package is for those who truly think they’re turning Japanese (you really think so?). (Private 10 person sushi making session at Hatsune including ingredients, recipes and equipment, plus a bottle of sake)

• Love of the Game (For Him) 

• It’s time for you to get in the game and and with the right gear, with sportswear from LiNing, a Hobie golf bag, an autographed basketball from the legendary Shaquille O’Neil and tickets to a game from NBA China. (LiNing running attire; hoodie or windbreaker and sneakers, LiNing urban attire; pair of shoes and apparel, Hobie golf bag &travel case, 1 Autographed NBA Sacramento Kings jersey signed by Tyreke Evans (signed jersey), 1 NBA Spalding Basketball autographed by Shaquille O’Neil, and 2 tickets to a 2012 NBA China basketball game)

• Fashionista 

• Every time you flip through the latest Cityweekend you enviously eye the style spread. Now, it’s YOUR turn. After getting your hair and makeup done and a new outfit, it’s time for you to be the envy of the town.  (Cityweekend style spread, Meili Autumn make-up consultation, Candy&Caviar outfit, Catherine de France 500RMB Voucher, Spanx collection of goodies)

• You say it’s your (kid’s) birthday! 

• For kids, there’s nothing more exciting than pizza night… unless, of course, it’s make-your-own pizza at GungHo. For your kid’s birthday this year, ditch the clowns and magicians and bring them to GungHo for a pizza making class. This package also includes tickets to a show, gifts and gift-wrapping.  (Pizza making for 3 adults, 7 kids at Gung Ho!, 6 tickets to a show from Feld Entertainment, Peridot Paper for gift-wrapping gifts, Ladybuy Trunkie and Sticker Wall Map from Counting Sheep, and 2 Culture Agents: Mission Beijing )

Full List of Silent Auction Prizes are here.

Chi Fan for Charity Plastered t-shirts are in stock and available for purchase.  100% of proceeds from the first 100 t-shirts sold will support charity.  Thanks Plastered!

The Little Gold Book 2012 will also be making its grand premiere at Hatsune’s CFFC After-Party.

With 70 brilliant culinary deals at some of the best restaurants in Beijing. you can win exceptional deals like 50% off at Hatsune and 2-for-1 mains at Assaggi! And what’s more is that Charities, Not-For-Profits and Community groups keep a whopping 30% of every Little Gold Book sold by them.  For only 240RMB, the Little Gold Book 2012 is also the perfect Christmas gift!  Pick up yours at the Chi Fan for Charity After Party.

*Starting Monday, October 30^th you can text in your bid early!  Just send your a text to 158-1084-8284 including: Item#, Bid Amount, and Last Name (Ex: #2, 2100rmb, Crain).  If you prefer the old-fashioned way, visit the silent auction tables at the Hatsune After-Party at 10pm on November 5^thand bid with pen and paper.  

Tickets to the Hatsune After-Party are RMB 250 pre-sale or RMB 300 at the door.  Click here to buy your pre-sale tickets online.

Chi Fan for Charity 2011: Tickets are Now on Sale!

“Good Eats. Good Times. Good Causes.”

Good food, good company and all for good causes – this really is my ideal event. As a proud member of the Chi Fan for Charity team, I am excited to be a part of such an inspiring event that involves such a strong community of individuals to come together and really make a difference with the selected charities we sponsor this year.

The concept for the charity event is simple. Restaurants donate set menus to the charity, which then charge diners for a specially-prepared meal. Each restaurant is offering at least three courses and two wine pairings for a table of 10.

Who can say no to being a part of such an all-around win-win-win situation?!  If you haven’t already booked your seat at one of the 39 fine dining establishments on board, tickets went on sale this week!

Many of the restaurants are already sold out (Agua, Bei, Barolo, Hatsune, Made in China, Mosto, Nobu, Orchid, Maison Boulud), but there are still 24 restaurants to choose from including Capital M, Susu, Sureno, ROOMbeijing, Modo, Karaiya Spice House, Punjabi, The Courtyard and the highly anticipated Temple Restaurant Beijing (TRB) by Maison Boulud’s ex-GM Ignace Lecleir.

“CFFC is happy to report that some of the Capital’s most interesting and influential people will once again host our tables. The evening will be filled with opportunities;talk economics with Forbes’ Gady Epstein, debate which restaurant has the best Kao Ya with restaurateur Alan Wong, gossip about philanthropy with Red Cross’ Ramsey Rayyis or discuss this season’s best reads with Penguin’s Managing director Jo Lusby. 2011′s table hosts are shaping up to be even more intriguing than last year’s stellar group.” – CFFC Newsletter

A dining event that’s won Culinary Event of the Year in Beijing in 2010, Chi Fan for Charity has expanded to Shanghai this year (with the help of organizing sponsor Austen Morris) and has set an ambitious goal to raise RMB 300,000 in this one night to be donated entirely to both the Bethel Foundation and New Hope Foundation and is now bringing its theme to Shanghai.

Visit http://www.chifanforcharity.org/bookings/restaurants/category/beijing-restaurants/ to book your spot at one of Beijing’s top 39 restaurants on November 5 at 7:30 pm.  Just select the restaurant of your choice and then follow instructions to purchase your tickets.  Remember: 100% of proceeds will go to Bethel Foundation and New Hope Foundation.

And if that wasn’t good enough, the legendary after-party at Hatsune Sanlitun Branch will be where all diners unite together for boozin and schmoozin with old skool dance tracks by DJ Patrick Yu and drinks will be flowing courtesy of The Wine Republic, Kis Natural Vodka, El Charro Tequila, Tiger Beer and Hatsune.

In addition to great drinks and company, CFFC will feature some amazing silent auction packages. Although we can’t divulge what we have secured, we can guarantee that one lucky donor will be taken away on a once in a lifetime vacation.

Pictures from Chi Fan for Charity 2010:

LumDimSummary: Powwow & Mashup’s 爱北京, I Race!

The Entire Team Behind 爱北京, I Race! 

With a total of 8 teams and 12 destinations, 爱北京, I Race! had Beijingers running around the town in its own version of “Amazing Race”.  Hosted by Let’s Powwow and Mashup sport & social, this was a full-on day of activities and games.

As much as I would have liked to signed up my own team of winners (I am confident my dream team totally would have killed this race), I was happy to instead host two of the challenges at two different destinations.  I spent the day hosting challenges at both Hatsune Sanlitun Village Branch and Kagen Japanese Hot Pot & BBQ on Guanghua Lu (which was a bit of a challenge in itself to race back and forth between the two venues).

At Hatsune branch, challengers were quickly instructed to make and eat basic hand rolls, which was both a fun experience and a treat (most challengers came hungry)!

Hatsune’s 爱北京, I Race! Challenge:

At Kagen Japanese Hot Pot & BBQ, we set up a blind taste test for teams to face the ultimate challenge for their taste buds.  With a range of different ingredients from garlic chips to gingko nuts and calamari, challengers had to guess 3 out of 10 correctly to pass this challenge and move on to their next destination.  Fortunately every team passed and if any team finished early, they were able to take off their blindfolds and devour the remaining ingredients!

Kagen Japanese Hot Pot & BBQ’s 爱北京, I Race! Challenge:

Although I wasn’t present at the other challenges, there were 10 other destinations from Sanlitun to Nanluoguxiang and Shuangjing areas. I heard Green Dumplings had teams make dumplings, Jungbo Juice had challengers guess ingredients of a smoothie, Terra had challengers guess and find the correct ingredients to make a caipirinha and Grinders Bar & Restaurant in Shuangjing had challengers execute correctly the 20 steps to pour a proper Stella beer.

Powwow Team Challenge at Terra Restaurant

Challengers learned how to Pour a Proper Stella Beer (20 Steps)

爱北京, I Race! Teams:

1st Place Winners: Team Capital Punishment took home RMB 4,000!

2nd Place Runner Up: Team 真的

3rd Place: Team Lost in Beijing

Other 爱北京, I Race! Teams:

Team Three and a Half Asians

Team Yoyao is Gay (with Yoyao on the left)

SUMO TIME: Hatsune’s 10 Year Party + Costume Ideas

I think it’s safe to say that everyone is fascinated by sumo wrestling.  Essentially, sumo fighters are massive, monster Japanese men tackling each other wearing giant diapers…which is pretty awesome if you ask me.

As much as I would love to get professional sumo wrestlers to perform their swift moves at Hatsune’s 10 Year Anniversary Party, I have to settle for the next best thing: ordering both blow-up and cushion sumo suits for us to battle/bounce off of one another!  Not quite as cool as the real deal, but should still be brilliant fun.

This Thursday, August 4, Hatsune will be hosting a monumental 10 year birthday party in its Sanlitun Village branch and we welcome all sushi friends and fans to join us!  We will be providing plenty of sushi, sake, cocktails and cake and throughout the night, DJ Patrick Yu will be in high-demand playing his much loved old skool tracks and Hatsune will be hosting plenty of fun activities including sumo wrestling and a deadly wasabi challenge for brave souls who dare to try for their chance to win a Hatsune voucher for RMB 1,000!  If you or any of your friends are interested in participating in Hatsune’s Wasabi Challenge, we will have a sign-up at the door.

Now, Hatsune has got the sushi, sake, DJ, sumo suits and wasabi covered so all we ask is that everyone gets in the spirit by dressing up – anything goes as long as it’s Japanese!

For creative inspiration, I have put together a visual list of costume ideas for you to consider:

The Obvious Costume Ideas (Traditional Japanese Kimono & Geisha Face):

If you’re feeling lazy, a last resort is to just throw on a robe and stick some chopsticks in your hair – easy peasey!

Another Easy Option- Just wear black and be a Ninja:

You could be a little more “modern” and dress up as a Japanese School Girl:

Step it up a notch and be one of Gwen’s Harajuku Girls:

Japanese Anime is pretty “out-there” too:

If you choose to do Japanese Anime, at least get the blue Elvis hair like this guy.

Kill Bill’s Crazy 88′s (a notch up from both standard ninja and Japanese School Girl because they are “crazy”):

Some Very Random Costume Ideas (still holding onto our Japanese theme – I found some pretty wacky stuff on the internet):

And one of my favorites: A Giant Pikachu!

The ultimate costume in my opinion:  A SUMO Wrestler aka you show up wearing nothing but a giant diaper:

To get you in the “Hatsune party mood”, here are some more inspirational sumo maneuvers I plan to master and display in full force this Thursday, August 4:

1.  SUMO Neck Chop:

2.  SUMO Leap Frog:

3. SUMO Double Cartwheel:

In case you happened to miss my very amateur try at poetry, here’s all you will need to know regarding Hatsune’s 10 Year Party summed up into a few stanzas:

On Thursday, the fourth of August,
Hatsune will be anything but modest.

As we get ready to celebrate our 10 Year Anniversary,
We invite all our dear sushi friends, fans and even our adversaries
To join in a celebration of epic proportions
Where sushi, sake and cocktails will be generously apportioned.

All we ask is from you is to get in the spirit of dressing in Japanese theme
Anything goes as long as it’s extreme.
From samurai swords, kimono robes and geisha white faces
To Gwen’s Harajuku girls and anime hair, we can cover all the bases.

DJ Patrick Yu will be back on the attack,
Playing some killer old school tracks.
We will have sumo suits for all to battle and take revenge
And we dare you to sign up for our deadly wasabi challenge!

After 10 years of sake insanity and serious sushi gluttony,
We want to thank you for all the many precious memories!
Here’s to you, to 10 Sensational Years and for being a part of the dream!
With Love, The Hatsune Team

Save-the-Date: Hatsune’s 10 Year Anniversary Party

Mark Your Calendars & Save the Date:

On Thursday, August 4,

Hatsune will be celebrating its 10 Year Anniversary

and we would love nothing more than to celebrate it with all our sushi family, friends and fans!

*To get you all in the spirit, I devoted hours of my life into writing this poem,
which I hope you will at least find amusing.

Don’t forget to come dressed in our “anything goes as long as it’s Japanese” theme.

Pre-sale tickets are on sale NOW at Hatsune Sanlitun so get on it!

Hope to see all you sushi fanatics and party animals THURSDAY, AUGUST 4 at Hatsune Sanlitun!!

(If you haven’t done so already, don’t forget to submit your sushi roll creations for Hatsune’s Sushi Roll Contest and try for your chance to win an RMB 1,000 voucher to dine at any Hatsune restaurant! Deadline is Sunday, July 24).

LumDimSummary: SOS Charity Dinner at Karaiya

Within just about a week’s time, Time Out Magazine got just over 20 Beijing restaurants on board in a quick fundraising effort to support relief efforts in Japan with proceeds being donated to the Japanese Red Cross.

This past Sunday, both Hatsune and Karaiya Spice House in Sanlitun Village hosted tables with special set menus at RMB 300 per person with all proceeds donated directly to the cause.

Here’s a Taste of Karaiya’s SOS Charity Dinner Menu:

Trio of Chinese appetizers: Sliced Beef, Spicy Soybeans & Tofu Topped with Chili Peppers / Hand-Shredded Chicken and Onions with Crushed Ginger atop Flaming Mini Wok

Mandarin Fish with 2 Hunan Peppers / Hunan Spicy Pork Stir-fry with Pressed Tofu

Hot & Sour Soup / Spicy Pepper Diced Rib-Eye

Duo of Lightly fried Chinese Greens (Pea Sprouts and Towel Gourd)

Pork Fried Rice with Foie Gras (photo missing) / Mini Fruit Plate

Together, Hatsune & Karaiya Spice House alone raised a total of RMB 9,300.  The grand total from all restaurants will be confirmed shortly.

LumDimSum Snapshots of Karaiya’s SOS Charity Dinner:

SOS Charity Dinners: Restaurants Rebuilding Japan

Strategically utilizing the strong network of Chi Fan for Charity‘s charitable stand-out restaurants and generous foodies around town, Time Out has quickly thrown together a quick fundraiser to support relief efforts in Japan with proceeds being donated to the Japanese Red Cross.

“By dining from the delicious SOS set menus at the participating restaurants on this very special evening, you will be supporting relief efforts in the worst hit areas of Japan.” – Time Out Beijing

This “SOS – Restaurants Rebuilding Japan” event will be hosted in over 20 fantastic restaurants all over town for one night only – this coming Sunday, April 24.

Some of the generous participating restaurants include Alameda, Carmen, Green T. House, Maison Boulud, Modo & Mosto (SOLD OUT), Hatsune & Karaiya Spice House, Nola, Terra, Samadhi Vegetarian Teahouse, Little Yunnan, etc.

Alan Wong has graciously offered to donate ALL proceeds to the cause for booked seats on this night – both Hatsune and Karaiya are RMB 300 per person for the set menu.  As seating is limited, for reservations at either Hatsune (Sanlitun Branch only) or Karaiya Spice House, please contact me directly: kristen@lumdimsum.com.

Hatsune SOS Charity Dinner

*10-course Menu*

3 types assorted Japanese appetizer

Sakekawa Salad:  Crispy salmon and snapper skin salad with light oil and vinegar dressing

Assorted Sashimi

Flory Hand Roll: Shiso mint leaf, scorched salmon and raw quail egg with black tobiko

Q Roll:
Fresh shrimp salad and deep-fried gobo age rolled and topped with fresh avocado, unagi, shredded shiso leaves, tobiko and unagi sauce

candy&caviar roll:
deep fried sweet potato, crab salad, avocado and cucumber topped with yellowtail, wasabi mayo and caviar

Steak Butteryaki: Top-grade tenderloin grilled in a light butter sauce

Clear soup with Steamed Clams

Yakiudon: Stir-fry udon with chicken and vegetables

Dessert: Cookie Spoons with Diced Mangos and Grapefruit

RMB 300 per person

Flory Hand Roll

Karaiya Spice House SOS Charity Dinner

*10 Dish Menu*

Trio of Chinese Appetizers:

Soy Marinated Sliced Beef /Tofu Topped with Chili Peppers /Spicy Soy Beans

Signature Mandarin Fish with 2 Hunan Peppers

Spicy Pepper Diced Rib-Eye

Hand-Shredded Chicken and Onions with Crushed Ginger atop Flaming Mini Wok

Hunan Spicy Pork Stir-fry with Pressed Tofu

Sizzling Rice Soup

Duo of Lightly fried Chinese Greens (Pea Sprouts and Towel Gourd)

Pork Fried Rice with Foie Gras

Fruit Platter

RMB 300 per person

Click here for full list of participating restaurants and “to whet your appetites”, you can also find links to the restaurants’ offered set menus for the night.

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday, April 24
• Location: 20+ restaurants all over Beijing (click here for full list of restaurants)
• Price: Set Menu Prices range per restaurant
• For More Info: email - hannah@timeoutcn.com
• Website: http://www.timeoutbeijing.com/features/Food__Drink/11366/SOS—Rebuilding-Restaurants-in-Japan.html